By Chimezie Godfrey
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, his former aide, Jimi Adebisi Lawal, and five companies over alleged corruption and money laundering involving an N8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract.
The defendants were arraigned on an 11-count amended charge before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna.
Also listed as defendants are Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited. Bashir El-Rufai, said to be an elder brother of the former governor, was mentioned in one of the counts and is reportedly at large.
According to a statement issued by John Okor Odey, Head of Media and Public Communications of the ICPC, the Commission accused El-Rufai of unlawfully approving the award of a CCTV contract valued at N8,682,574,054.94 while serving as governor of Kaduna State.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the contract was awarded to Singularity Network Security Limited despite the company’s lack of the required experience and qualifications, contrary to public procurement laws.
ICPC further claimed that proceeds from the transaction were later channelled through several companies and individuals in what it described as money laundering activities.
The Commission alleged that more than N2 billion suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity was received, possessed and moved through various transactions involving the companies between 2017 and 2022.
One of the counts accused El-Rufai of aiding corruption by approving the contract in violation of procurement regulations.
When the charges were read in court, El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, Justice Buhari adjourned the case to July 1, 2026, for ruling on pending bail applications.
ICPC Drags El-Rufai, Ex-Aide To Court Over Alleged N8.68bn CCTV Contract Scam
